Type T vehicles are replaced by Type A vehicles

In stark contrast to his father’s personality, Edsel Ford was a refined, sophisticated, calm individual with a passion for fine arts. Due to Henry Ford’s opposition to higher education, Edsel was unable to pursue advanced studies; however, he demonstrated a broad knowledge in various matters.

Less than a year after moving to Fair Lane, Edsel married Eleanor Clay, the granddaughter of a businessman from Detroit. After getting married, Edsel moved to another residence, leaving the billiard room and bowling alley unused, and the expensive pipe organ fell into disrepair.

Model T Car

Edsel had four children: Henry II, Benson, Josephine, and William. These children grew up in a 60-room mansion that Edsel had built at Gaukler Pointe. In the summer, they lived at a seaside mansion worth $3 million (at that time) in Seal Harbor, Maine, and in the winter, they rested on the 38-foot yacht Onika, anchored at Hobe Sound, Florida.

In 1920, Henry Ford’s Model T car became widely popular, capturing 60% of the market. Although this car was known for its durability and affordability, it was only suitable for the poor road conditions that existed before 1914. By this time, Americans began seeking a more expensive car that offered better aesthetics and more interior comforts. At social gatherings and in pubs, people often mocked the Ford Model T by calling it a “bathtub”—useful, yet no one wanted to be seen inside it. By the mid-1920s, General Motors had improved under the astute leadership of Alfred P. Sloan, introducing the Chevrolet, which featured characteristics absent in the Ford Model T. Despite this competitive pressure, Henry Ford stubbornly refused to accept that the Model T had become outdated. The elder Ford insisted on keeping the car in black, reducing its price to $290, while the Ford Model T continued to use an outdated transmission system and lacked an electric starter. In the face of this obstinacy from the aging industrialist, the company’s management staff had only ever known to agree with Henry Ford, except for Edsel and a few commercial staff who vehemently opposed the continuation of the Model T.

Model A Car

Throughout their lives, Edsel and his father never saw eye to eye. Intense debates frequently erupted between them, and despite the violent storms of his father’s authoritarian temperament, Edsel remained steadfast in pursuing and fulfilling his intentions. During one such debate, when Edsel presented evidence showing a concerning decline in car sales, Henry Ford finally relented. Although Edsel Ford was appointed President of the Company at the age of 26, he proved to be visionary, not only in artistic and technical concepts but also in theories related to industry, society, and economics. Specifically regarding automobiles, Edsel believed that Ford cars should be equipped with hydraulic brakes and manual transmission, along with other improvements like those found in Chevrolet vehicles, which were increasingly popular. However, Henry Ford vehemently opposed the idea of hydraulic brakes. After a series of heated discussions, the elder Ford resorted to sending Edsel to work at a branch in California. Despite the significant conflicts, the Ford Model A finally launched in December 1927. The introduction of the Model A was a major event of that time, making front-page news in newspapers. It can be described as a revolution in the automotive industry, as it was not only affordably priced, but also featured four-wheel brakes, windshield wipers, and most notably, was available in a variety of vibrant colors!

After the disagreement over the Model A, Henry Ford devoted his time to collecting memorabilia, yet in this semi-retired state, the aging industrialist did not relinquish his power over Ford Motor Company. Although Edsel was the President, his decisions were not quickly implemented by subordinates without Henry Ford’s approval. The elder Ford occasionally appeared in fits of rage, creating significant obstacles for Edsel. It was within this chaotic environment that a figure emerged: Harry Bennett.